Gas production method using water as the source

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided in at least one embodiment to process water to produce gas that can be separated into at least two gas flows using a water treatment system having a disk-pack rotating in it to cause out gassing from the water. In a further embodiment, the method and system use the gas released from the water to produce substantially fresh water from the processed salt water.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/657,740, filed Jul. 24, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,464,824,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/471,870,filed Aug. 28, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,714,176, which is acontinuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/028449, filed Feb. 28,2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application Ser. No.61/604,482, filed Feb. 28, 2012, and entitled Gas Production andCollection System and Method; and U.S. provisional Application No.61/700,475, filed Sep. 13, 2012, and entitled Desalination System andMethod, which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method in at least oneembodiment for collecting gas that is out gassed as part of a watertreatment process. In another embodiment, the present invention relatesto a desalination system and method.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment according to the invention, a system includesa water intake; a gasification unit having a plurality of watertreatment systems and a cavity in fluid communication with the intake; achiller/condenser unit in fluid communication with the gasification unitsuch that at least a portion of the gas expelled from the plurality ofwater treatment systems is received by the chiller/condenser unit; and asalt water discharge in fluid communication with the gasification unit.In at least one embodiment according to the invention, there is a methodfor the operation of such a system.

In at least one embodiment, the invention includes a system forproducing and collecting gas including: a water tank; a hood engagingthe water tank, the hood including at least one port; at least one waterdissociation system in the water tank, the water treatment systemincluding a motor, a driveshaft engaging the motor, a vortex modulehaving a housing; a plurality of inlets spaced around the periphery ofthe housing near a top of the housing; and a vortex chamber formed inthe housing and in fluid communication with the plurality of inlets, anda disk-pack module having a housing having a discharge chamber formed inthe disk-pack housing, and the discharge chamber having a plurality ofdischarge ports providing a fluid pathway from the discharge chamber tooutside of the disk-pack housing; and a disk-pack having an expansionchamber formed in an axial center and in fluid communication with thevortex chamber, the disk-pack having a plurality of spaced apart disksproviding passageways between the expansion chamber and the dischargechannels (or passageways) in fluid communication with at least twovertical discharge outlets, the disk-pack engaging the driveshaft.

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system including: awater intake; a processing unit having a plurality of water dissociationsystems and a cavity in fluid communication with the water intake; achiller/condenser unit in fluid communication with the processing unitsuch that at least a portion of the gas expelled from the plurality ofwater treatment systems is received by the chiller/condenser unit; and awater discharge in fluid communication with the processing unit.

In a further embodiment to the above embodiments, the system furtherincludes a salinity meter for determining the increase in salinitypresent in salt water in the cavity of the processing unit; at least onepump in-line with the pathway of salt water flow through the system; anda control unit electrically connected to the salinity meter and the pumpto control the operation of the pump at least in part on readingsreceived from the salinity meter. In a further embodiment to any of theabove embodiments, the system further includes a pretreatment tankhaving at least one water processing system and a cavity in fluidcommunication between the water intake and the processing unit. In afurther embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the system furtherincludes a post process tank having at least one water processing systemand a cavity in fluid communication between the processing unit and thesalt water discharge. In a further embodiment to any of the aboveembodiments, the system further includes a water collection tank forreceiving condensation produced by the chiller/condenser unit. In afurther embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the system furtherincludes a gas capture system. In a further embodiment, the gas capturesystem has at least one gas separation membrane and at least twodischarge ports for receiving gas streams separated by the at least onegas membrane. In a further embodiment, the gas capture system furtherhas at least one storage tank in fluid communication with at least oneof the two discharge ports. In a further embodiment to the previousthree embodiments, the gas capture system is in the gas flow between theprocessing unit and the chiller/condenser unit such that the gas capturesystem provides separated Oxygen and Hydrogen gases to thechiller/condenser unit. In a further embodiment to any of the aboveembodiments, the system further includes a reservoir containing water.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the waterdissociation system has a vortex chamber, a disk-pack turbine in fluidcommunication with the vortex chamber and the disk-pack turbine having aplurality of disks with each pair of disks having at least one chamberbetween them, at least one discharge outlet in fluid communication withthe chambers in disk-pack turbine, and a drive system in rotationalengagement with the disk-pack turbine. In an alternative embodiment tothe previous embodiment the water dissociation system has a motor; adriveshaft engaging the motor; a vortex module having a housing, aplurality of inlets spaced around the periphery of the housing near atop of the housing, and a vortex chamber formed in the housing and influid communication with the plurality of inlets; and a disk-pack modulehaving a housing having at least one discharge channel, a plurality ofdischarge outlets providing a fluid pathway from the at least onedischarge channel to outside of the disk-pack housing, and a disk-packhaving an expansion chamber formed in an axial center and in fluidcommunication with the vortex chamber, the disk-pack having a pluralityof spaced apart disks providing passageways between the expansionchamber and the at least one discharge channel, the disk-pack engagingthe driveshaft.

The embodiments of this paragraph may be used in connection with any ofthe above embodiments. The invention in at least one embodiment includesa water dissociation system including: a vortex housing having a vortexchamber; a disk-pack module having a housing defining a chamber, adisk-pack turbine within the chamber and in fluid communication with thevortex chamber, at least two discharge channels extending away from thechamber, and at least two discharge outlets, each in fluid communicationwith one of the discharge channels; and a drive system module engagingthe disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the system furtherincludes a cover over the vortex housing, and at least one valve passingthrough the cover; and wherein the vortex housing having a plurality ofvortex inlets in fluid communication with the vortex chamber. In afurther embodiment, the system further includes a controllerelectrically connected to the at least one valve. In a furtherembodiment to any of the embodiments in this paragraph, each dischargeoutlet extends up from the housing of the disk-pack module and is tallerthan the vortex housing and/or includes a cavity that flares out fromthe discharge channel. In a further alternative embodiment to any of theembodiments in this paragraph, the vortex chamber is above the disk-packturbine and the drive system module. In a further embodiment, the drivesystem module includes a motor and a driveshaft connecting the motor tothe disk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment, the driveshaft passesthrough a barrier external to the system. In a further alternativeembodiment to any of the embodiments in this paragraph, the motor moduleis above the disk-pack turbine and the vortex chamber is below thedisk-pack turbine. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments inthis paragraph, the drive system module includes a motor and adriveshaft connecting the motor to the disk-pack turbine. In a furtherembodiment to any of the embodiments in this paragraph, the driveshaftpasses through a barrier external to the system. In a further embodimentto any of the embodiments in this paragraph, the disk-pack turbineincludes a first disk having an axially centered opening passingtherethrough, a second disk, and at least one middle disk; and whereineach of the first disk, the second disk, and the at least one middledisk includes a set of waveforms and a plurality of vanes havingchannels and ridges where the set of waveforms and the plurality ofvanes are centered about the opening of the first disk.

The embodiments of this paragraph may be used in connection with any ofthe above embodiments. The invention in at least one embodiment includesa disk-pack turbine including: a first disk having an axially centeredopening passing therethrough, and a second disk; and wherein each of thefirst disk and the second disk includes a set of waveforms and aplurality of vanes having channels and ridges where the set of waveformsand the plurality of vanes are centered about the opening of the firstdisk. In a further embodiment, one of the first disk and the second diskincludes a plurality of vertical members spaced around the axial centerof the disk, and the other of the first disk and the second diskincludes a plurality of recesses, each of which receives one of thevertical members. In a further embodiment, the vertical members arealigned with a radius extending from the center of the disk. In afurther embodiment to either of the previous embodiments, betweenneighboring vertical members at least one of a convergent channel and adivergent channel is formed. In a further embodiment to any of theembodiments in this paragraph, a width of the channels of the vanesincreases at the channel approaches a periphery of the first disk or thesecond disk. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments in thisparagraph, the channels are curved along their length. In a furtherembodiment to any of the embodiments in this paragraph, the channelseach include an S-curve. In a further embodiment to any of theembodiments in this paragraph, the set of waveforms includes hyperbolicwaveforms.

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a method of producinggas from water (or another liquid) including: filling a water tank withwater sufficient to cover any inlet and any discharge of a watertreatment system present in the water tank; rotating a disk-pack turbinein a disk-pack module of the water treatment system; spinning a water tocreate a vortex where the water that enters the vortex is located insidethe water tank; discharging the water from the vortex module into anexpansion chamber formed in the disk-pack turbine of the disk-packmodule; channeling and distributing the water between spaces that existbetween disks of the disk-pack turbine to travel from the expansionchamber to at least one discharge channel surrounding the disk-packturbine; flowing water in the discharge channel to at least onedischarge port; and collecting gas with a hood that is out gassed fromthe water as the water is discharged from the water treatment system.

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a method forproduction of substantially fresh water from salt water including:placing water into a processing tank such that the water level issufficient to cover any inlet and any discharge of any waterdissociation system present in the processing tank; operating each ofthe water dissociation systems in the processing tank by rotating adisk-pack turbine in a disk-pack module of each of the water treatmentsystems; spinning a water to create a vortex where the water that entersthe vortex is located inside the processing tank; discharging the waterfrom the vortex module into an expansion chamber formed in the disk-packturbine of the disk-pack module; channeling the water between spacesthat exist between disks of the disk-pack turbine to travel from theexpansion chamber to at least one discharge channel surrounding thedisk-pack turbine; discharging the water through at least one dischargeoutlet; and collecting gas through a port proximate a top of theprocessing tank; routing the collected gas into a chiller/condenser unitto produce substantially fresh water.

In a further embodiment to any of the above method embodiments, thesystem substantially performs all of the steps when the disk-packturbines are rotating. In a further embodiment to any of the abovemethod embodiments, the method further includes adjusting a speed ofrotation of the disk-pack turbines during operation. In a furtherembodiment to any of the above method embodiments, the method furtherincludes routing the gas from the processing tank to a gas capturesystem; and separating the gas into at least two separate gas flows withthe gas capture system. In a further embodiment to any of the abovemethod embodiments, placing water into the processing tank includescirculating water through the processing tank. In a further embodimentto any of the above method embodiments, the method further includescontrolling the rate of circulation of salt water at least in part basedon a salinity reading from a salinity sensor to maintain the salt waterbeing discharged from the processing tank within predetermined salinitythreshold above the salt water source. In a further embodiment to any ofthe above method embodiments, the method further includes routing theretentate stream from a gas capture system in fluid communication withthe processing tank. In a further embodiment to any of the above methodembodiments, the method further includes providing at least twoseparated gas flows from the gas capture system to the chiller/condenserunit.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. The use of cross-hatching and shadingwithin the drawings is not intended as limiting the type of materialsthat may be used to manufacture the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram of an example waterprocessing system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment according to theinvention.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate different views of a desalination embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a partial cross-sections taken at 4-4 in FIG.3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view.

FIG. 7A-7I illustrates a water processing system embodiment according tothe invention. FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of the embodiment. FIG. 7Billustrates a perspective view of the embodiment. FIG. 7C illustrates across-section taken at 7C-7C in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7D illustrates a top viewof a portion of the embodiment. FIG. 7E illustrates a perspective viewof an alternative embodiment. FIG. 7F illustrates a side view of anotherconfiguration of the embodiment. FIG. 7G illustrates a top view ofanother configuration of the embodiment with FIG. 7H illustrating across-section taken at 7H-7H in FIG. 7G. FIG. 7I illustrates a side viewof another configuration of the embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an example of another disk-pack turbine for usein the various water processing system examples in this disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a first example water processing system for usein at least one embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 9Aillustrates a top view. FIG. 9B illustrates a perspective view. FIG. 9Cillustrates a cross-section taken at 9C-9C in FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a second example water processing systemfor use in at least one embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 10Aillustrates a perspective view. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectiontaken at 10B-10B in FIG. 10A.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a third example water processing system for usein at least one embodiment according to the invention. FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate side views. FIG. 11C illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of a disk-pack turbine.

FIG. 12A illustrates an exploded view of a fourth example waterprocessing system for use in at least one embodiment according to theinvention. FIG. 12B illustrates a cross-section of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 12A.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a fifth example water processing system foruse in at least one embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 13Aillustrates a cross-section taken at 13A-13A in FIG. 13B with theaddition of a housing. FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view.

FIG. 14 illustrates a sixth water processing system for use in at leastone embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a controller foruse in at least one embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates another block diagram of an example of a controllerfor use in at least one embodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine exampleaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 18A-18E illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine example accordingto at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates the setup for a salt water experiment. FIGS. 20A-20Dare images of the processing of the salt water. FIGS. 21A-21C are imagesof the water surface behavior during the processing of the salt water.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a waterprocessing system 85 having at least a vortex module 100, a disk-packmodule 200, and a drive system module (or in some embodiments a motormodule) 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1 placed in a water tank 80 and isused to generate the production of gases from water present in the watertank 80 to capture with a gas collection/separation system 90 asillustrated in FIG. 2, and in at least one further embodiment theHydrogen and Oxygen gases present are condensed together to form wateras illustrated by FIGS. 3-6. In an alternative embodiment, the waterprocessing system 85 is turned upside down. In at least one embodiment,the water processing system is a water dissociation system directed atreleasing gas from water and in other embodiments the water processingsystem is a water treatment system directed at, for example, increasingoxygenation in the water in at least one embodiment by allowing andencouraging released gas to be reassimilated into the water by the use,for example, of accumulation chambers and the like instead of attemptingto quickly route the fluid and gas that exits from the disk-pack turbineout a discharge outlet.

FIGS. 7A-18E illustrate a variety of example water dissociation systemsthat include the modules illustrated in FIG. 1. The various examplewater dissociation systems include one of the following modulearrangements but are not limited to: the vortex module, the disk-packmodule, the drive system module, and optional intake module; theoptional intake module, the vortex module, the disk-pack module, and thedrive system module; the vortex module, the disk-pack module, and thedrive system module; and the drive system module, the disk-pack turbinemodule, and the vortex module. In an alternative embodiment to theconfigurations where the drive system module is on the bottom, the drivesystem module is partially outside of the water tank. In furtherembodiments the drive system module and the intake module are combinedtogether as one module. The disk-pack module 200 includes a disk-packturbine that is rotated by the drive system module 300. The drive systemmodule 300 in at least one embodiment includes a driveshaft driven by amotor. In an alternative example, the motor may indirectly drive thedriveshaft with, for example, a belt or other linkage. Based on thisdisclosure, it should be appreciated that the various described filteriterations in this disclosure may be omitted when the water (or liquid)used to produce the gas has been filtered and/or includes minimal debrisand other non-liquid material in the water.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram having a water tank 80, a waterdissociation system 85S, and a gas collection/separation system 90. Thewater tank 80 is filled with a level of water sufficient to submerge thewater dissociation system 85S by at least an inch of water, and in someembodiments a portion of the drive system module is above the watersurface. A hood (or similar cover) 91 of the gas collection/separationsystem 90 is placed over the water tank 80 to provide at least a snugfit between the hood 91 and the water tank 80, and in furtherembodiments to seal the hood 91 to the water tank 80 with, for example,the use of a sealing gasket such as a O-ring. In an alternativeembodiment as will be discussed in connection with FIGS. 3-6, the hood91 is incorporated as a ceiling in a water tank structure 80 that holdsmultiple water dissociation systems 85 s where the gas separation system92 is in fluid communication with the water tank structure 80.

An example method includes the following process. Starting the waterdissociation systems 85 to start the out gassing process from the water(or other liquid). Collecting any gas out gassed from the water with thehood 91. Separating the gas into at least two component parts with aseparation system 92 in fluid communication with the hood 91.

In at least one embodiment, the separation system 92 includes one ormore permeable membranes paired with at least one collection port. Anexample of this structure is that above the hood there is a collectionport followed by a permeable membrane to separate Hydrogen from theother gases and upstream of the permeable membrane is a collection portfor the Hydrogen, and in a further embodiment a membrane to separateOxygen is provided along with a collection port Oxygen. In otherexamples there are multiple separation levels. In a further embodiment,the air collected prior to the first permeable membrane (retentatestream) is recycled back into the space defined by the hood 91 and thewater tank 80 to establish an air flow through the system to encouragemovement of the released gas into the hood. In a further embodiment, therecycling system includes at least one pump to establish a higherpressure in the air flow through the system. Examples of a pump includebut are not limited to vacuum pumps, positive displacements such asdiaphragm type, rotary glands, and piston types. In at least oneembodiment, a regulated minimal vacuum condition is maintained thatkeeps pace substantially with gas production. The suction side of thepump will draw in the differentiated gases through the selectivelypermeable membranes and the discharge side of the pump provides thefirst level of pressurization into receiving differentiated gas vessels,which then, via cycles, based on available accumulated gas volume in thefirst stage vessels would be compressed via use of high-pressurecompressors into high pressure tanks for disposition. In an alternativeembodiment, the collection system 90 includes a negative pressure sourceabove the permeable membrane to draw air flow up into the hood 91 fromthe water tank 80. In another alternative embodiment, the water tank 80includes a port along its side for the collection of Oxygen as part ofthe gas collection system 90, where the port includes an off-shoot portextending up for Hydrogen collection. In a further embodiment to theembodiments in this paragraph, the separation system 92 includes meansfor causing a negative pressure differential on either side of at leastone of the permeable membranes, for example, with a vacuum.

a. Desalination Example Embodiment

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a variety of views including schematic, block,cross-section from a variety of angles of at least one embodiment foruse in desalination of salt water (or in an alternative embodiment theprocessing of salt water to produce a variety of gases including but notlimited to Hydrogen and Oxygen) that also includes optional additions tothe underlying system that can be used in varying mixes of components.The system in at least one embodiment is in fluid communication with awater source 901, which in at least one embodiment includes at leastsome salt water, through a salt water intake 910, which in at least oneembodiment includes a conduit such as one used to obtain water from abody of water 901 for use in a municipal water system. In furtherembodiments, the flow through the intake is regulated in a manner toprovide for replenishment in the system of water while processed waterpasses on through the system. FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an optional receivingand pretreatment tank (or buffer tank) 920 that in at least oneembodiment includes one or more water treatment systems 85 (see, e.g.,section b for examples) that in at least one embodiment increase thelevels of Oxygen in the water without aid of air being added to thewater during the process. In an alternative embodiment, the tank 920(with or without a water processing system 85/85S) acts as a buffer tankto assist with the flow of water through the system and to maintain thesalinity of the water in a desired range.

The water flows then into a water desalination tank (or processing tankor gasification unit) 930 that includes a plurality of waterdissociation systems 85S directed to the production of gas from thewater. An example of a water dissociation system 85S is illustrated inFIGS. 7A-8C along with FIGS. 9A-18E. Within the processing tank 930 aprocess of gasification occurs that in at least one embodiment releasesHydrogen and Oxygen gases to be differentiated and collected with, forexample, by the collector (or gas capture system) 990 and/or thechiller/condenser 940. A small portion of the gases to be differentiatedand collected are Hydrogen and Oxygen. The number of water dissociationsystems 85S can vary along with fewer units being present if they arelarger scale. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 in at least oneembodiment, the processing tank 930 includes a slanted cavity ceiling932 to assist with directing the expelled gases from the water towardsthe top of the cavity where the connection points are for thechiller/condenser unit 940 and/or the gas collector 990, which in atleast one embodiment includes a membrane. The water dissociation systems85S will cause gas to be released from the water as illustrated in FIGS.20A-21C, which are photographs of a desalination test project using amodified version of a prototype illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B(without the housing).

In at least one embodiment, water will continuously flow through thewater processing unit 930 at a rate that allows only for a specificlevel of rise in salinity to occur, which in at least one furtherembodiment is no more than 5% as the salt water progresses continuouslythrough the system. One embodiment to accomplish this includes asalinity meter for determining the increase in salinity present in waterin the cavity of the processing unit 930. The salinity meter isconnected to a control unit. The control unit is connected to a pump tocontrol the operation of the pump at least in part based on readingsreceived from the salinity meter. In at least one embodiment, the pumpis in-line with the pathway of salt water flow through the system.

As the water is circulated out of the processing tank 930, it flowstowards an optional post process water collection and restructuring tank960. In at least one embodiment, the restructuring tank 960 includes atleast one water treatment system 85 directed at increasing the Oxygenlevel and/or restructuring the water to enliven the inner dynamics ofthe water (such as those discussed in section b) prior to it beingdischarged out of the system through discharge pipe 970, which mayreturn the water to the water source 901 or some other destination. Byusing the restructuring tank 960, in at least one embodiment it isdesired to return water that nourishes and improves the aqua-environmentfrom which the water was taken. Alternatively, the restructuring tank960 may be omitted from the system.

The chiller/condenser unit 940 when present receives at least a portionof the expelled gas into it for cooling of the gases leading to thecoupling of Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules to reconstitute water, whichin at least one embodiment will be substantially fresh water. The waterthat is recovered is collected and piped to a water distribution tank950 that in at least one embodiment is omitted with the recovered waterplaced directly into a water distribution system. FIG. 2 illustrates anoutlet pipe 952 from the distribution tank 950 that would be connectedto the water distribution system.

An example of a chiller/condenser unit includes an ignition chamber, aduct to collect the produced steam from the ignition chamber and tubingor a chiller container to change the steam into water droplets. In analternative example, the chiller/conditioner unit makes use of acatalyst as part of the conversion process.

In an alternative embodiment, fuel cell water production is used, whichwould produce energy and water as part of the reaction. Diatomichydrogen enters one side of the cell, diatomic oxygen enters the other.Hydrogen molecules lose their electrons and become positive throughoxidation. Oxygen molecules gain four electrons and are negativelycharged through reduction. Negative oxygen ions combine with positivehydrogen ions to release electricity and form water. In a furtherembodiment, the energy can be used to provide power to the plant and/orsystem.

In at least one optional embodiment there is a gas capture system 990that includes a membrane type gas differentiation and concentrationsystem for separating gases from the outflow of processing tank 930 suchas Oxygen and Hydrogen; however, based on this disclosure one ofordinary skill in the art should appreciate that other gases could becollected instead of being burned off and/or released into theenvironment. The membrane system if present would receive a portion ofthe expelled gases to separate the gases into Oxygen and Hydrogen wherein at least one embodiment the separated gases are stored in respectiveOxygen and Hydrogen holding tanks 994, 996. In at least one embodiment,the separated gases are used as a potential fuel source (such ascombustion fuel or fuel cells) to provide power to the desalinationsystem and/or collected for later use as commercial gas and/or releasedinto the environment. In an alternative embodiment, the Oxygen andHydrogen holding tanks 994, 966 provide the gas feed into thechiller/condenser unit 940 through pipes (or other conduit) and acontrol system to control the gas mixture supplied to thechiller/condenser unit 940.

In an alternative embodiment, the gas capture system 990 is presentbetween the processing tank 930 and the chiller/condenser unit 940 toremove gases other than Oxygen and Hydrogen that may be present in theexpelled gases, and in at least one further embodiment to provideseparate flows of Oxygen and Hydrogen to the chiller/condenser unit 940.

In at least one alternative embodiment the gas capture system 990includes one or more permeable membranes paired with at least onecollection port. An example of this structure is that above the exitpoint 934 at the top of the cavity inside the processing tank 930 thereis a collection port followed by a permeable membrane to separateHydrogen from the other gases and upstream of the permeable membrane isa collection port for the Hydrogen. In other examples there are multipleseparation levels. In a further embodiment, the air collected prior tothe first permeable membrane (retentate stream) is recycled back intothe space defined by the processing tank 930 to establish an air flowthrough the system to encourage movement of the released gas into theexit port 934. In a further embodiment, the recycling system includes apump to establish a higher pressure in the air flow through the system.In an alternative embodiment, the gas capture system 990 includes anegative pressure source above the permeable membrane to draw air flowup into the ceiling of processing tank 930 from the water. In anotheralternative embodiment, the processing tank 930 includes a port alongits side for the collection of Oxygen as part of the gas capture system990, where the port includes an off-shoot port extending up for Hydrogencollection. In a further embodiment to the embodiments in thisparagraph, the gas capture system 990 or another subsystem includesmeans for causing a negative pressure differential on either side of atleast one of the permeable membranes, for example, with a vacuum. In afurther embodiment, the gas capture system 990 includes the previouslydescribed separation system 92.

FIGS. 7A-8C illustrate a water dissociation system that could be used inthe processing tank 930 of the desalination plant. The variousembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7H can have the discharge outlets232A increased in height relative to the rest of the system to place thetop nearer the anticipated water surface in the tank. One configurationexample includes placing the vortex module above the disk-pack modulewith the drive system module below the disk-pack module as illustratedin FIGS. 7A-7E. In at least one embodiment to limit the exposure of thesalt water on the motor of the drive system module, the motor is locatedexternal to the processing tank floor as illustrated in FIG. 7F and adrive shaft passes through the floor 970 of the tank to engage thedisk-pack module, and this arrangement can be utilized in the otherwater treatment systems with drive system modules below the disk-packmodules discussed in this disclosure. In another configuration exampleincludes placing the vortex module below the disk-pack module where thedrive system module is on top of the system as illustrated in FIGS. 7Gand 7H. In this example, the vortex chamber intakes would be spaced offthe cavity floor 936 of the processing tank 930, and in a furtherembodiment the system itself would be elevated on a set of risers, whichin an alternative embodiment would be added to provide additionalstability to each system. In one further example to this configuration,the motor of the drive system module would reside above the anticipatedsurface of the water in the processing tank to at least in part limitits exposure to the salt water where a long drive shaft 314A′ wouldsupport the motor as illustrated in FIG. 7I. In an alternative, therewould be a horizontal support beam and/or platform in the processingtank cavity to provide further lateral support. In another alternative,the motor would reside above the cavity ceiling and have the driveshaftpass through the cavity ceiling 932 that would also provide a structureto lift the vortex chamber off the cavity floor 936. Under eitherexample where the motor is outside the cavity, the driveshaft would besealed against the cavity structure with, for example, a seal or gasket.Under either of the base examples, the drive system module may bepresent below the water level.

FIGS. 7A-7I illustrate an water dissociation system embodiment for usein the gasification stage of the desalination process, but could also infurther embodiments be used as part of any other processing described inthis disclosure with, for example, an increase in the size of thechamber/channel around the disk-pack turbine and a change in thedischarges similar to that of the embodiments discussed in section b.

The illustrated embodiments include common vortex modules 100A,disk-pack modules 200A, and drive system modules 300A. FIGS. 7G-7Ireverse the order of the modules. Based on the discussion in section bof this disclosure, it should be appreciated that a variety of supportmembers could be added to the illustrated systems around, for example,the vortex housing 120A and the elongated driveshaft 314A′.

The vortex module 100A includes a housing (or cover) 420A around thevortex chamber housing 120A having a vortex chamber 130A. The housing420A includes a valve controlled inlet 432A, which although illustratedas being a manual valve could be replaced by an electronicallycontrolled valve. In an alternative embodiment, the valve 422A isomitted. In at least one embodiment, the inlet valve can restrict theinflow water into the housing 420A to establish a negative/vacuumcondition and effectively stretching the fluid volume as it enters thevortex inlets 132A. The illustrated vortex chamber 130A includes threevortex inlets 132A for supplying water into the vortex chamber 130A. Inat least one embodiment, the vortex inlets include a convergent entranceinto the inlet 132A′ as illustrated in FIG. 7E. The vortex chamber 130Acould take a variety of forms as discussed in connection with the otherwater processing systems in this disclosure.

The vortex chamber 130A feeds water into the disk-pack turbine 250Aresiding in a chamber 230A of the disk-pack housing 220A. The disk-packturbine 250A includes a first (or top) disk 260A, a second (or bottom)disk 264A, and at least one middle disk 266A that define an expansionchamber 252A that receives the water from the vortex chamber 130A. Thewaveforms present on the disks 260A, 264A, and 266A are discussed inmore detail in connection to FIGS. 8A-8C with the middle disk 266Ahaving waveforms on the top and bottom sides of the disk. As illustratedin FIGS. 7C and 7D, the chamber 230A includes a discharge channel 231Athat passes around the outside of the disk-pack turbine 250A starting atabout the point the prior discharge channel 231A extends away from thechamber 230A to the discharge outlet 232A. The discharge outlet includesa housing 2322A that includes a cavity 2324A that flares out over itsheight from where the discharge channel 231A connects to the cavity2324A. In an alternative embodiment, the discharge outlet discussed inconnection with FIGS. 13A and 13B is used in its entirety oralternatively the discussed protrusions are used.

The illustrated discharge outlets 231A are proximate to the chamber 230Ato continue the spinning flow of the water as it leaves the system,which in at least one embodiment will increase the gasification level ofthe water being processed, because it shortens the time in which thewater can be reassimilate the gas. Although there are two dischargeoutlets 232A illustrated, it should be understood from this disclosurethat one discharge could be used instead or a plurality of dischargeports around the periphery of the discharge chamber may be provided. Inat least one embodiment, the top of the discharge ports will beproximate to (or below) the anticipated height of the water level in theprocessing tank to further minimize the opportunity for the gas that hasbeen released being reassimilated into the water.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a disk-pack turbine 250B having at least twodisks 260B, 264B each with matching waveforms on their respective facingsurfaces. In at least one embodiment, there is one or more disksinserted between the two illustrated disks 260B, 264B where in at leastone embodiment each of the middle disks 266A will include waveforms onboth faces as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7C. This disk packturbine 250B is different than the others illustrated and discussed inthis disclosure. The disks are thicker and include more complexwaveforms and a different form of a wing shim. The expansion chamber252B is different in that it is defined by the opening passing throughthe axial center of the bottom disk 264B and includes the gap (or diskchamber) 262B between the disks given the illustrated central flatregion 2602B illustrated in FIG. 8B.

In this disclosure, waveforms include, but are not limited to, circular,sinusoidal, biaxial, biaxial sinucircular, a series of interconnectedscallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic,and/or multi-axial including combinations of these that when rotatedprovide progressive, disk channels with the waveforms beingsubstantially centered about an axial center of the disk and/or anexpansion chamber. The waveforms are formed, for example but not limitedto, by a plurality of ridges (or protrusions or rising waveforms),grooves, and depressions (or descending waveforms) in the waveformsurface including the features having different heights and/or depthscompared to other features and/or along the individual features. In someembodiments, the height in the vertical axis and/or the depth measuredalong a radius of the disk chambers vary along a radius as illustrated.In some embodiments, the waveforms are implemented as ridges that havedifferent waveforms for each side (or face) of the ridge. In thisdisclosure, waveform patterns (or geometries) are a set of waveforms onone disk surface. Neighboring rotor and/or disk surfaces have matchingwaveform patterns that form a channel running from the expansion chamberto the periphery of the disks. In this disclosure, matching waveformsinclude complimentary waveforms, mirroring geometries that includecavities and other beneficial geometric features.

FIG. 8B illustrates a bottom view of the top disk 260B and FIG. 8Cillustrates a top view of the bottom disk 264B. The top disk 260Bincludes a plurality of recesses 2604B present around its axial centerfor receiving the vertical members 2644B of the bottom disk 264B. Eachof the vertical members 2644B includes a passageway (not illustrated)passing through its height for receiving a support shaft that assists inadjusting the gap (or disk chamber height) 262B that will be presentbetween the top and bottom disks 260B, 264B. In at least one embodiment,the cavities 2604B and vertical members 2644B are switched between thedisks. The illustrated vertical members 2644B form convergent channels2622B between neighboring members that than expand out to providedivergent channels 2624B. This structure in at least one embodimentincreases the speed at which the water will travel from the expansionchamber 252B into the disk chamber 262B formed between the top andbottom disks 260B, 264B.

After the water passes through the convergent/divergent channels 2622B,2624B it encounters a set of waveforms 2606B such as the illustratedhyperbolic waveforms that will impart additional motion to the waterincluding in at least one embodiment establishing a counter flow thatwill in turn largely be caught up in the flow of water from theexpansion chamber.

The outer band of illustrated waveforms includes a plurality of vanes2607B having channels 2608B between the ridges 2609B that curve out awayfrom beyond the set of waveforms to the periphery of the disk and in atleast one embodiment the channels' 2608B width increases along itslength. In at least one embodiment, the channel 2608B has a shapesimilar to an “S” curve. During operation, the water will flow throughthe channels 2608B and partially pass over the ridges 2609B furtherstretching and spinning the water molecules to encourage the release ofOxygen and Hydrogen.

In at least one embodiment, the periphery of the disk-pack turbine 250Bis not circular, but instead includes a waveform or scallop shapesaround the perimeter as illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C.

b. Additional Water Processing System Examples

FIGS. 9A-18E illustrate a variety of water processing system examplesfor us in at least one embodiment according to the invention, and infurther embodiments the following water processing system examples areuseful as water treatment systems in the oxygenation and/orrevitalization applications discussed above. Although the illustratedunits are not as efficient in producing gas as the previously describedwater dissociation system, in at least one embodiment the example watertreatment systems are used as water dissociation systems. The differentillustrated examples share common features for the invention thatfacilitate the movement of fluid through the device and resulting inmany of the examples revitalizing fluid in a vessel by having theoutputted water from the device propagate throughout the vesselcontaining the water or the water source where the water is returned. Inmany of the examples, the water enters into a vortex chamber thatincludes a plurality of inlets that are spaced apart. The vortex chamberfurther increases the rotational speed of the water as the water passesthrough the vortex chamber into an expansion and distribution chamber(or expansion chamber). The water in at least one example is drawn intothe expansion chamber at least in part by a disk-pack turbine. The wateris drawn into and through the space (or disk chambers) between the disksof the disk-pack turbine into an accumulation, energy exchange anddischarge chamber (or discharge chamber) surrounding the disk-packturbine. The discharge chamber discharges the water through at least onedischarge port (or outlet). In at least one embodiment, the dischargechamber includes a discharge channel around the disk-pack turbine thatdirects the flow towards at least one discharge outlet.

1. First Example Water Treatment System

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate an example water treatment system that could beused as part of the overall system. The illustrated example includes avortex module 100C, a disk-pack module 200C, a motor module 300C, and apump (or intake) module 400C. The pump module 400C, via axialcentrifugal suction, draws water (or fluid) into the pump module which,under positive pressure, delivers water into the vortex module 100 thatshapes the in-flowing water into a through-flowing vortex whichcontinually feeds the concentrated rotating fluid into the disk-packmodule 200 prior to discharging.

The motor module 300C illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9C includes adual shaft motor 310C that drives both a disk-pack 250C with thedriveshaft 314C and an impeller 410C with the driveshaft 312C. The motor310C in at least one example is electrical and powered by a power source(not illustrated). In an alternative example the illustrated housing320C for the motor module 300C is eliminated; and the motor 310C islocated in another module either in its own housing or in a cavitywithin the housing of another module.

The pump module 400C includes an optional bottom suction 8-bladedimpeller 410C within a triple-outlet housing 420C as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 9C. The number of blades 412C may number other thaneight, for example, any number from two to twelve. The illustrated pumpchamber 430C is fed through an axial inlet 432C that draws water fromapproximately a central point below the system through an axialpassageway that opens into the bottom of the pump chamber 430C. Theillustrated pump module 400C includes a plurality of pump outlets 422Cis connected via pipe/tubing (or conduit) to a corresponding inlet 132Cfor the vortex induction chamber 130C in the vortex module 100C.

The vortex induction chamber 130C is a cavity formed inside a housing120C of the vortex module 100C. The illustrated vortex induction chamber130C includes a structure that funnels the water into a vortex uppersection 134C having a bowl (or modified concave hyperbolic) shape forreceiving the water that opens into a lower section 136C havingconical-like (or funnel) shape with a steep vertical angle of changethat opens into the disk-pack module 200C. In at least one example, thevortex chamber 130C is formed by a wall 137C. The sides of the wall 137Cfollow a long radial path in the vertical descending direction from atop to an opening 138C that reduces the horizontal area defined by thesides of the wall 137C as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9C.

As the water passes through the base discharge opening 138C it entersinto the revolving expansion chamber 252C in the disk-pack module 200C.Most of the volumetric area for the expansion chamber 252C is formed bythe center holes in the separated stacked disks 260C which serve aswater inlet and distribution ports for stacked disk chambers 262C. Anexample of a disk-pack turbine 250C is illustrated in FIG. 9C. Theillustrated disk-pack turbine 250C includes the top rotor 264C, aplurality of stacked disks 260C, and the bottom rotor 268C having aconcave radial depression 2522C in its top surface that provides abottom for the expansion and distribution chamber 252C. The illustratedbottom rotor 268C includes an integrally formed motor hub 269C to coupleto the upper drive shaft 314C.

Additional impelling influences in at least one embodiment are derivedfrom the rotating wing-shims 270C, which also space and support thedisks 260C from each other to provide space 262C through which watertravels from the expansion chamber 252C to the discharge chamber 230C.The structure, the number, and the location of the wing shims 270C canvary along with their structure and dynamic function.

The disk-pack turbine 250C is held in alignment by the housing 220C,which includes a discharge chamber 230C in which the disk-pack 250Crotates and discharges water into. The discharge chamber 230C isillustrated as having a hyperbolic parabloid cross-section that leads toa plurality of discharge ports 232C on the outside periphery of thehousing 220C. In this illustrated example, there are two discharge ports232C, but more discharge ports 232 may be added and, in at least oneexample, the discharge ports 232C are equally spaced around the housingperiphery as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, which also illustrates theoutside of the disk-pack module housing 220C. The discharge chamber 230Cgathers the fluid after it has passed through the disk-pack turbine 250Cto accumulate, exchange energies, and further generate, for example,mixed flows, pressures, counter-flows, currents, vortices, andtemperature.

While progressing through the vortex induction chamber 130C, theexpansion chamber 252C, over disk-pack surfaces, through the dischargechamber 230C and out through its discharge ports 232C, the fluid isexposed to a multiplicity of dynamic action and reactionary forces andinfluences, all of which work in concert to achieve desired outcomesrelative to water-enhancing processes.

2. Second Example Water Treatment System

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another example water treatment system thatshares similarities with the previous example despite differences in theexternal design for the vortex module 100D and combination motor andintake module 400D.

The combination motor and intake module 400D includes a housing 420Dthat includes a cylindrical screen 426D with a cylindrical base 428Dwith an enclosed bottom. The housing 420D surrounds a motor 310D that ismounted under the disk-pack module 200D for driving the disk-pack 250Dwith its single shaft 314D (as a double shaft is not needed for thisexample with the omission of an impeller). In an alternative example,the motor is located in a protective housing isolating it from thedisk-pack module and further protects the motor from the fluid beyondthe protection offered by the motor housing. The screen 426D provides abarrier for extraneous material that may be present in the water. Oncethe water passes through the screen 426D, it will then be drawn into theplurality of conduits (not shown) connecting the intake module 400D withthe vortex module 100D.

The combination motor and intake module 400D and the vortex module 100Dare connected together with conduit (not shown). Each module includes anequal number of connectors (outlets 422D/inlets 132D, respectively).

The structure of the vortex module 100D remains the same in terms of itsoperation; however, the illustrated external housing 120D is smaller andmore fitted about the vortex chamber 130D with the addition ofstructural support members 126D extending up from a bottom plate 128Dthat connects to the disk-pack module 200D to a point part way up thevortex module 100D to a support ring 125D. In a further example, thesupport structure is omitted or configured in a different way.

The disk-pack module 200D has some similarities to the previouslydescribed disk-pack module 200D as illustrated in FIG. 10B. Thedisk-pack turbine 250D includes a top plate 264D, a plurality of disks260D, and a bottom plate 268D that includes a motor coupling (or hub).The illustrated discharge chamber 230D has a slightly differenttoroid/paraboloid shape, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, than the previousexample and is connected to discharge ports 232D. The disk-pack turbine250D includes an oval expansion chamber in which to receive the incomingwater flow from the vortex chamber 130D. The disk-pack turbine 250D inthis example, as illustrated, is a larger disk-pack than the previousexample in terms of the number of stacked disks 260D.

In other alternative embodiments, the screen is located over the vortexinlets and/or vortex housing.

3. Third Example Water Treatment System

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a further example water treatment system, whichis similar to prior examples and includes a vortex module 100F, adisk-pack module 200F, and a combined motor/intake module 400F.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11A, motor/intake module 400Fincludes a pair of screens 426F, 427F that together with a base 420Fprovide the housing for the module 400F. The relative position of thetwo screens 426F, 427F to each other define whether there are anyopenings through which the water may pass along with the size of theresulting openings. In at least one example, the screens 426F, 427Ftogether are a filter. The outlets 422F are connected to the inlets132F.

FIG. 11A illustrates a vortex module 100F similar to the previousexample. The example illustrated in FIG. 11A includes structure supportmembers 126F similar to that of the second example that each include asupport column 127F extending down from the top of the main body 124F toabut against a support column 123F extending up from a support plate128F.

FIG. 11B illustrates a disk-pack module 200F that receives the waterfrom the vortex chamber. The disk-pack module 200F includes two housingpieces 2202F, 2204F that are identical to each other thus expeditingassembly of the device. Each housing piece also includes an axiallycentered opening having a diameter to allow for the vortex chamber topass through or the motor shaft depending upon orientation of thehousing piece in the assembled device. FIG. 11C illustrate an example ofa disk-pack turbine 250F. The top rotor 264F includes a cylindricalintake and openings for connecting to wing shims 270F spaced from theaxial center of the rotor. The bottom rotor 268F has a similar structureto the top rotor 264F, but instead of an opening passing through itsaxial center there is a motor mount and a concave feature 2522F axiallycentered on the plate to form the bottom of the expansion chamber 252F.The illustrated disk-pack turbine 250F is an example that includes 16disks 260F. The wing shim 270F includes spacers sized to fit around astandoff member 273F attached to the top rotor 264F and the bottom rotor268F with bolts 276F.

4. Fourth Example Water Treatment System

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a further example water treatment system.This illustrated example combines the intake module and the vortexmodule 100G together such that the vortex module 100G draws the water(or other fluid) directly into the vortex chamber 130G through aplurality of openings 132G. This example also places the motor module300G with motor 310G at the bottom of the device to drive the disk-pack250G, which is driven by driveshaft 314G.

One way for the vortex chamber 130G to attach to the housing 120G isthrough a screw connection such that the inside of the housing 120Gincludes a plurality of grooves to receive the protrusions 131G aroundthe top of the vortex chamber 130G. Although the openings 132G areillustrated as having a spiral configuration, other opening arrangementsare possible while still providing for the flow of water (or otherfluid) into the device. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the vortex chamber130G includes a collection area that is substantially of the samediameter as the area covered by the intake openings 132G. As water flowsthrough the vortex chamber 130G, the rotation is assisted by the closingin of the chamber walls to form a floor area before beginning a steepdescent to the bottom end 138G and into the inlet for the disk-packturbine 250G.

The illustrated disk-pack module includes a housing formed with a toppart 2202G and a bottom part 2204G that provides the space for thedischarge chamber 230G around the disk-pack turbine 250G in addition toproviding the channels that form the discharge ports.

FIG. 12B provides a view of an example of a cross-section that may beused for the discharge chamber 230G that provides a substantially flatsurface before expanding the height of the discharge chamber 230G byhaving the floor and ceiling of the chamber curve away from each othersuch that the maximum height of the chamber is at a distance from thecenter substantially equal to the radius of the disk-pack turbine 250G.Beyond the point of maximum height in the discharge chamber 230G, thefloor and the ceiling curve towards each other to form the side wallthrough which the discharge outlets exit from the discharge chamber 230Gin a swirl motion.

5. Fifth Example Water Treatment System

The illustrated system of FIGS. 13A and 13B includes a housing module500H, an intake module 400H, a vortex module 100H, a disk-pack module200H, and a motor module 300H. FIG. 13A illustrates an example of ahousing module 500H including a cover 520H that covers the intake module400H and the vortex module 100H. The housing module 500H as illustratedincludes a plurality of support members 524H and 526H that align andsupport the vortex module 100H, the intake module 400H, and the cover520H.

The water flows in at the inlet 522H and up to an intake catch 425H asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 13A. The water after entering theintake catch 425H enters into the intake chamber 430H through the intakescreen 426H, which forms a substantial portion of the bottom of theintake catch 425 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 13B. The screenblocks material and other debris above a certain size based on the sizeof the openings in the screen 426H.

As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the intake chamber 430H includes asubstantially parabaloid shape upper section that narrows into a solidsoutlet 438H to collect particulate, precipitated solids, and/orconcentrated solids from the intake chamber 430H. In at least oneembodiment, the chamber shape encourages rotational movement in thewater to form a whirlpool in the intake chamber 430H with a funnel shapefrom the negative pressure in the disk pack turbine 250H pulling throughthe vortex chamber 130H and the conduits 490H, and the resultingwhirlpool precipitates solids present in the water into the solidsoutlet 438H. The solids outlet 438H in at least one embodiment connectsto a hose (or conduit) 590H that is routed out through an opening in thecover 520H.

Near the top of the intake chamber 430H, there are a plurality ofoutlets 432H connected to the conduits 490H that are in fluidcommunication with the vortex chamber 130H in a cavity formed inside ahousing 120H of the vortex module 100H to shape the in-flowing waterinto a through-flowing vortex that is fed into the disk-pack module200H.

In at least one embodiment illustrated, the water passes through thebase discharge opening 138H into the expansion chamber 252H in thedisk-pack turbine 250H of the disk-pack module 200H as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 5 and 6. An example of a disk-pack turbine 250H isillustrated in FIG. 13A.

Once the water passes through the disk-pack turbine 250H, it enters theaccumulation chamber 230H in which the disk-pack turbine 250H rotates.The accumulation chamber 230H is an ample, over-sized chamber within thedisk-pack module 200H. The accumulation chamber 230H gathers the fluidafter it has passed through the disk-pack turbine 250H. The shape of theaccumulation chamber 230H is designed to provide its shortest heightproximate to the perimeter of the disk-pack turbine 250H. Beyond theshortest height there is a discharge channel 231H that directs the wateraround to the discharge outlet 232H and also in at least one embodimentprovides for the space to augment the water in the accumulation chamber230H through an optional supplemental inlet 290H. The discharge channel231H has a substantially elliptical cross-section (although othercross-sections are possible). The accumulation chamber wall in at leastone embodiment closes up to the perimeter of the disk pack turbine 250Hat a point proximate to the discharge channel 231H exits theaccumulation chamber 230H to provide a passageway that travels towards adischarge chamber 2324H.

The discharge outlet 232H includes a housing 2322H having a dischargechamber 2324H that further augments the spin and rotation of the waterbeing discharged as the water moves upwards in an approximatelyegg-shaped compartment. In an alternative embodiment, the output of thedischarge outlet 232H is routed to another location other than fromwhere the water was drawn into the system from. In at least oneembodiment, the housing 2322H includes an upper housing 2322H′, whichcan be a separate piece or integrally formed with housing 2322H thatdefines an expanding diameter cavity for discharging the water from thesystem. The discharge chamber 2324H includes a particulate dischargeport 2326H that connects to a conduit 592 to remove from the system, forexample, particulate, precipitated matter and/or concentrated solidsthat have precipitated out of the water during processing and to routeit away from the system in at least one embodiment. In at least oneembodiment, the shape of the discharge chamber 2324H facilitates thecreation of a vortex exit flow for material out through the particulatedischarge port 2326H and a vortex exit flow for the water out throughthe discharge outlet 232H forming multiple vortical solitons that floatup and away from the discharge outlet 232H spinning and in many casesmaintaining a relative minimum distance amongst themselves. The vorticalsolitons in this embodiment continue in motion in the container in whichthey are discharged until they are interrupted by another object.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324H includes atleast one spiraling protrusion 2325H that extends from just above (orproximate) the intake (or discharge port or junction between thepassageway coming from the accumulation chamber 230H and the dischargechamber 2324H) into the discharge chamber 2324H up through or at leastto the discharge outlet 232H (and/or upper housing 2322H′) to encourageadditional rotation in the water prior to discharge. In at least oneembodiment, the spiraling protrusion 2325H extends up through thedischarge outlet 232H. The spiraling protrusion 2325H in at least oneembodiment spirals upward in a counterclockwise direction when viewedfrom above.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324H includes atleast one (second or particulate) spiraling protrusion 2327H thatextends from just below and/or proximate to the intake 2321H(illustrated in FIG. 13B) down through the discharge chamber 2324Htowards the particulate discharge port 2326H. When viewed from above,the spiraling protrusion 2327H spirals in a counter-clockwise direction.Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that one or both ofthe spiraling protrusions 2325H, 2327H could be used in at least oneembodiment. In an alternative embodiment to the above protrusionembodiments, the protrusions are replaced by grooves formed in thedischarge chamber wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the discharge chamber's diameter shrinks asit approaches the upper housing 2322H′, which as illustrated includes along radii expanding back out to decompress the discharged water forreturn to the tank. In an alternative embodiment, the long radii beginsproximate to the intake 2321H in the discharge chamber 2324H. Thisstructure in at least one embodiment provides for a convergence of flowof water prior to a divergence back out of the flow of water.

The base of the illustrated system is the motor module 300H thatincludes a housing 320H with an outwardly extending base 324H having aplurality of feet 322H spaced around the periphery of the base 324H toprovide support and distribute the weight of the system out further toprovide stability in at least one embodiment. The motor housing 320Hsubstantially encloses the motor 310H, but there may be multipleopenings 326H through which water can pass and cool the motor in atleast one embodiment. The motor housing 320H provides the base on whichthe disk-pack module 200H rests and is connected to by bolts or the likeconnection members.

6. Sixth Example Water Treatment System

FIG. 14 illustrates another water treatment system example that issimilar to the previous example and sharing the disk-pack module 200Hand the motor module 300H. The intake module 400J and the vortex module300J are different. Although a housing is not illustrated, it should beunderstood based on this disclosure that the housing could take avariety of forms while providing a cover over the other modules. Inaddition, a screen may be included that covers the intake module and thevortex module. The illustrated intake module includes a plurality ofintakes 490J that lead to the vortex chamber 130J. The intakes 490Jextend down from the vortex inlets 132J of the vortex chamber 130J asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 14. The remainder of the vortex moduleis similar to the previous example. FIG. 14 does illustrate an exampleof a taller discharge outlet 232J.

FIG. 14 also illustrates the presence of the supplemental inlet 290Hwith an optional valve 294H into the accumulation chamber of thedisk-pack module 300H to augment the water present in the accumulationchamber.

7. Seventh Example Water Treatment System

The various water treatment systems discussed above could be usedwithout the vortex chamber or other input modules allowing the disk-packturbine to draw the fluid directly from the water source into theexpansion chamber. In a further example, the housing around thedisk-pack turbine is removed and the disk pack discharges the waterdirectly from the periphery of the disk-pack directly into the containerthat it is running in. These examples may be combined together in afurther example. One impact of running the system in an openconfiguration is that the vortex created leads to the creation ofextremely powerful whirlpools that are believed will be beneficial formixing of the water present in the vessel containing the water beingtreated. Experimental systems have been capable of establishing a veryconcentrated “eye of the whirlpool” which will draw in surface air atdisk-pack submerged depths of more than two feet.

c. Controller

FIG. 15 illustrates an example for the addition of a controller 500 tothe above-described water processing systems. The above-described motormodules 300/400 may be provided with a variety of operation, control,and process monitoring features. Examples include a switch (binary andvariable), computer controlled, or built-in controller resident in themotor module 300. Examples of a built-in controller include anapplication specific integrated circuit, an analog circuit, a processoror a combination of these. The controller in at least one exampleprovides control of the motor via a signal or direct control of thepower provided to the motor. The controller in at least one example isprogrammed to control the RPM of the motor over a predetermined timebased on time of day/week/month/year or length of time since processstart, and in other examples the controller responds to the one or morecharacteristics to determine the speed at which the motor is operated.

In at least one example, the controller monitors at least one of thevoltage, amperage, and RPM of the motor to determine the appropriatelevel of power to provide to the motor for operation. Other examples ofinput parameters include chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygendemand (BOD), pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), bound oxygen and otherconcentrations of elements and/or lack thereof and have the controllerrespond accordingly by automatically adjusting operational speeds andrun times. In examples that utilize electrolytic and magnetic effects,the controller will also control the operation of the system withrespect to these effects. FIG. 16 illustrates an example similar to FIG.15 with the addition of a sensor 502 in the hood 91 that detects theflow of gas into the gas separation system 92 and/or the composition ofthe gas being collected. Similar uses of sensors and controllers can beused to monitor the salinity level in the salt water being processed todetermine when to discharge water and draw more water into theprocessing tank.

d. Additional Disk-Pack Turbines

A further example of the disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of diskshaving waveforms present on them as illustrated in FIGS. 17A-18E.Although the illustrated waveforms are either concentric circles (FIGS.17A and 17B) or biaxial (FIGS. 18A-18E), it should be understood thatthe waveforms could also be sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a seriesof interconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuateforms, hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of thesethat when rotated provide progressive, disk channels with the waveformsbeing substantially centered about an expansion chamber. The shape ofthe individual disks defines the waveform, and one approach to creatingthese waveforms is to stamp the metal used to manufacture the disks toprovide the desired shapes. Other examples of manufacture includemachining and/or casting of the individual disks. The illustratedwaveform disks include a flange 2608 around their perimeter to provide apoint of connection for wing shims 270 used to construct the particulardisk-pack turbine.

FIGS. 17A-18E illustrates respective disk-pack turbines 250X, 250Y thatinclude an upper rotor 264X and a lower rotor 268X that have asubstantially flat engagement surface (other than the expansion chamberelements) facing the area where the disks 260X, 260Y are present. In analternative embodiment, the disk-pack turbine includes an upper rotorand a lower rotor with open areas between their periphery and theexpansion chamber features to allow the waveforms to flow into the rotorcavity and thus allow for more disks to be stacked resulting in a higherdensity of waveform disks for disk-pack turbine height.

FIG. 17A illustrates a side view of an example of the circular waveformdisk-pack turbine 250X. FIG. 17B illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260X. Each circle waveform is centered about the expansion chamber 252X.The illustrated circle waveforms include two ridges 2603X and threevalleys 2604X. Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated thatthe number of ridges and valleys could be reversed along with be anynumber greater than one limited by their radial depth and the distancebetween the expansion chamber 250X and the flange 2608.

FIG. 18A illustrates a top view of a disk-pack turbine 250Y without thetop rotor 264X to illustrate the biaxial waveform 2602Y, while FIGS.18B-18E provide additional views of the disk-pack turbine 250Y. Theillustrated biaxial waveform 2602Y that is illustrated as including tworidges 2603Y and one valley 2604Y centered about the expansion chamber252Y. Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated that the numberof ridges and valleys could be reversed along with be any number greaterthan one limited by their radial depth and the distance between theexpansion chamber 252Y and the flange 2608. FIG. 18B illustrates a sideview of three waveform disks 260Y stacked together without the presenceof wing shims 270 or the rotors 264X, 268X. FIG. 18C illustrates apartial cross-section of the disk-pack turbine 250Y. FIG. 18Dillustrates a side view of the assembled disk-pack turbine 250Y. FIG.18E illustrates a cross-section taken along a diameter of the disk-packturbine 250X and shows a view of the disks 260Y.

e. Other Variants

Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated that there is atremendous amount of flexibility in the disk-pack turbines. For example,the number of disks in the disk-packs in most examples will rangebetween 2 to 14 disks, but the number of disks may be greater than 14.The size in terms of thickness and diameter (both of the opening and thedisk itself) can vary depending on the application and the desiredthroughput.

The expansion chamber may take a variety of shapes based on the size andshape of the opening through the disks that make up a particulardisk-pack turbine. In at least one example, the center holes through thedisk are not consistent size in the disks that make-up a disk-packturbine. For example, the center holes are different diameters and/ordifferent shapes. In a further example, the disks include a waveform orgeometric pattern along at least one side of the disk.

In at least one example, one or more disks include an impeller with aplurality of blades in the center opening passing through the disk, theblades are orientated to provide additional suction forces to draw fluidthrough the passageway between the vortex chamber and the expansionchamber. In at least one implementation, the impeller is integrallyformed with the disk, while in another implementation the impeller is aninsert piece that engages the central opening in the disk, for example,with friction, press fit, and/or snap-in.

The materials used to manufacture the disks can range from a variety ofmetals to plastics including using different materials for the diskswithin one disk-pack turbine with examples as follows. A disk-packturbine assembled with polycarbonate housings, brass wing-shims andstainless steel disks renders product water with, among otherattributes, oxidation/rust inhibiting characteristics. A disk-packturbine made of all-plastic materials with a disk gap tolerance of 1.7mm rapidly precipitates suspended solids, chills and densifies water andalso produces high levels of dissolved oxygen. The concept of densifyingwater includes reducing the volume occupied by water after it has beenprocessed by the system. Disk-pack turbines constructed with disk gaptolerances above 2.5 mm tend to precipitate virtually all solids out ofsuspension, including dissolved solids over time, resulting in very lowdissolved solids instrument readings, i.e., 32 ppm.

In embodiments intended for the Southern hemisphere, the rotation andorientation of components could be in a clockwise configuration.

The invention lends itself to a great degree of variability relative toscale and functional characteristics and will be produced for generaluse to highly specialized versions that build upon the previouslydescribed examples.

As has been mentioned, the number of discharge ports and theirorientation can be adjusted to further refine or impact the generationof motion in the surrounding water based on the discharge of water fromthe device. The geometry of the cross-section of the discharge port maytake a variety of forms from the illustrated circular cross-section witha long radii path from the discharge chamber to the outlet compared tothe toroid cross-section shape with spiral path between the dischargechamber to the outlet.

Although the above discussion referred to particular numbers for thedischarge ports and the vortex chamber inlets, these elements may bepresent in other numbers. For example, the discharge port could be oneup to any number that would allow for them to be adequately spacedaround the disk-pack module (i.e., dependent in part on the size of themain housing). The number of vortex chamber inlets could also bedifferent, once again dependent in part on the size of the vortexchamber.

Another variant for the water treatment systems is to place the conduitthat connects the intake module to the vortex module internal to thesystem through, for example, internal channels or passageways.

f. Water Treatment Process Effect

The process, when initiated, particularly in water that has not beenprocessed previously, typically causes the emission of gases whichmanifest in the form of effervescence. Initially, bubbling can beextremely vigorous, with the bubbles ranging in size from quite large(sometimes up to a half inch in diameter) to millions of micro-bubbles.After a period of time, the larger bubbles begin to subside and themicro-bubbles tend to diminish in size as they increase in volume. It isnot uncommon for visible out-gassing to subside to a point of beingvirtually undetectable. This initial out-gassing usually corresponds toan immediate rise or fall in pH, depending on the initial pH and/or diskgap tolerances and/or material used in the disk-pack. Some water that isneutral to basic can drop into a low acidic range, as determined by useof a pH meter, once the process is initiated, which is the result ofhigh levels of dissociative effervescence and Hydrogen ion activity.Within two minutes of cessation of the process, pH values will riseabove the neutral range. On occasion, gases have been collected from theeffervescence and exposed to flame, often resulting inignition/flashing, clearly demonstrating an elemental dissociativeeffect.

When processed water is reprocessed, the water may show little or noeffervescence. If the processed water is then run through a centrifugalpump, the structure is apparently broken down and the water will againeffervesce. If the water is allowed to settle for hours/days, it willreorganize/restructure and exhibit minimal effervescence uponreprocessing.

g. Salt Water Experiment

FIG. 19 illustrates a water tank 930K used for this salt waterexperiment. The water dissociation system included an inlet duct (themetallic ribbed duct) 480K directed to the lower areas of the water tank930K feed into the top of a water dissociation system 85K, which isdiscussed above in connection with FIGS. 13A and 13B (without thehousing). Although the experiment was performed using an inlet duct480K, this duct could be omitted and the water processing system used.FIGS. 20A-20D illustrate different views of the water dissociationsystem while it is processing the water present in the water tank. FIGS.21A-21C illustrate different views of the impact on the water processingon the activity along the water surface.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainpreferred embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modificationsto the described embodiments are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims andequivalents thereof. The number, location, and configuration of thecylinders described above and illustrated are examples and forillustration only.

As used above “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degreeare relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation fromthe characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to theabsolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessingmore of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, andpreferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic. “Substantially” also is used to reflect the existence ofmanufacturing tolerances that exist for manufacturing components.

The foregoing description describes different components of embodimentsbeing “in fluid communication” to other components. “In fluidcommunication” includes the ability for fluid to travel from onecomponent/chamber to another component/chamber.

Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the use of “same”, “identical” and other similar wordsare inclusive of differences that would arise during manufacturing toreflect typical tolerances for goods of this type.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments describedabove can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

I claim:
 1. A method for producing gas from water comprising: creating avortex in a vortex module of a water dissociation system; rotating adisk-pack turbine in a disk-pack module of the water dissociation systemto draw in water from the vortex into an expansion chamber formed in thedisk-pack turbine; channeling the water between spaces that existbetween disks of the disk-pack turbine to travel from the expansionchamber to a periphery of the disk-pack turbine; and collecting gas thatis out-gassed from the water as the water is discharged from the waterdissociation system, and wherein the disk-pack module is in a water tankwith a hood over a top of the water tank, the hood having a gascollection outlet; and the disk-pack turbine is rotated by a motorexternal to the water tank.
 2. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe water disassociation system performs the creating and the channelingwhen the disk-pack turbine is rotating.
 3. The method according to claim1, further comprising adjusting a speed of rotation of the disk-packturbine while the disk-pack turbine is rotating.
 4. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: routing the gas from the hood to aseparation system; and separating at least hydrogen from the gas withthe separation system.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising pumping water from the water tank with a centrifugal pumpbefore returning the water to the water tank for processing the waterfor another time.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingat predetermined times removing water from the water tank.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the predetermined times are when a sensordetects a level of at least one of hydrogen and oxygen in the gas beingcollected is below a predetermined concentration threshold.
 8. A methodfor producing hydrogen from water comprising: rotating a disk-packturbine in a disk-pack module of a water dissociation system; spinningwater to create a vortex in a vortex module of the water dissociationsystem; discharging the water from the vortex module into an expansionchamber formed in the disk-pack turbine of the disk-pack module;channeling the water between spaces that exist between disks of thedisk-pack turbine to travel from the expansion chamber to a periphery ofthe disk-pack turbine; and collecting with a hood, gas that isout-gassed from the water as the water is discharged from the waterdisassociation system, wherein the collected gas includes any hydrogenout-gassed.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the hood coversa water tank in which the disk-pack module is located, and the disk-packturbine is rotated by a motor external to the water tank.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, further comprising periodically removing waterfrom the water tank.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein theperiodically removing occurs when a sensor detects a level of hydrogenbeing collected is below a predetermined concentration threshold. 12.The method according to claim 8, further comprising adjusting a speed ofrotation of the disk-pack turbine during rotation of the disk-packturbine.
 13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:routing the gas from the hood to a separation system; and separating atleast hydrogen from the gas with the separation system.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising pumping water from a water tankwith a centrifugal pump before returning the water to the water tank forfurther processing the water by spinning, discharging, and channeling;and wherein the disk-pack turbine is present in the water tank.
 15. Themethod according to claim 8, pumping a second portion of the water fromthe water tank with a centrifugal pump before returning the secondportion of water to the water tank to pass through the disk-packturbine.
 16. A method for producing hydrogen from water in a water tankcovered with a hood, the method comprising: rotating a disk-pack turbinein a water dissociation system to draw water through a vortex into anexpansion chamber formed in the disk-pack turbine and to channel thedrawn-in water between spaces that exist between disks of the disk-packturbine to travel from the expansion chamber to a periphery of thedisk-pack turbine; collecting with the hood, gas that is out-gassed fromthe water as the water is discharged from the water disassociationsystem, wherein the collected gas includes any hydrogen that isout-gassed; and removing a portion of the water from the water tank. 17.The method according to claim 16, wherein the removing the portion ofthe water occurs when a sensor detects a level of hydrogen beingcollected is below a predetermined concentration threshold.
 18. Themethod according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting a speed ofrotation of the rotating disk-pack turbine.
 19. The method according toclaim 16, further comprising: routing the gas from the hood to aseparation system; and separating at least hydrogen from the gas withthe separation system.